The fire districts have adopted the 1997 Edition of the Uniform Fire Code.
This code prescribes regulations for the identification and correction of
fire hazards including the maintenance of exit doors, fires walls, fire
protection equipment, flammable liquids and hazardous materials.

Information on the fire code can be obtained from the Fire Marshal's Office
during normal business hours at (360) 337-4699. If you wish to report a fire hazard,
you can call (360) 337-4699 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or
after business hours, leave a message on the answering machine, or if
immediate attention is needed, call 911.

A permit and plan review is required by Kitsap County Fire Marshal's Office
for the installation of required fire extinguishing systems. You are required
to submit three sets of plans to the Fire Prevention Bureau at 614 Division
Street, Port Orchard. A permit is filed at the time of submittal. The
plans are reviewed by technical service personnel. You will be notified by
phone if there are problems with the system or if the plans have passed
review. The plans can then be picked up at 614 Division Street, Port
Orchard. A fee is charged based on the estimated cost of the job. Upon
completion of the job, a final inspection is required by the fire
prevention bureau.

Fire exits are designed to provide continuous and unobstructed means of
exiting out of a building. An exiting system in any building may include
intervening aisles, doors, doorways, gates, corridors, exterior exit
balconies, ramps, stairways, smoke proof enclosures, horizontal exits,
exit passageways, exit courts and yards. Required exit doors must not be
locked when a building is occupied.

All exiting requirements are described in the Uniform Building Code and
in the Uniform Fire Code. If you should have any questions about your
exiting system, you may contact Building Inspection during regular business
hours, or Fire Prevention at (360) 337-4699. Thank you for calling.

A building permit is required for the construction of fireplaces, fences
over 6 feet in height, decks over 30 inches in height, and additions.

A pre-fabricated fireplace must be installed in accordance with the manufacturers
specifications, and it must be approved by a nationally recognized testing
agency.

A masonry fireplace must be constructed in accordance with the
manufacturers specifications, and it must be approved by a
nationally recognized testing agency.

A masonry fireplace must be constructed in accordance with the Building Code
and construction handout provided by the Building Department.

When obtaining a permit for a fence, the property owner must verify the
cost of construction, type of material, and location of subject fence. The
department will also request land use information such as easements and
setbacks for placement of fences.

For other types of residential construction, such as decks and additions,
two complete sets of plans must be forwarded to the residential plans
reviewer of the building department to identify such items as typical wall
sections, foundation plan, and floor elevations.

Other questions involving this type of construction may be answered by calling
the Department of Community Development at (360) 337-7181.

Portable fire extinguishers apply an "agent" that will cool burning fuel,
restrict or remove oxygen, or interfere with the chemical reaction so the
fire cannot continue to burn. Every home should have at least one fire
extinguisher. Consider where you need fire extinguishers. Identify
hazardous areas where fires are likely to start and which type of fire
would likely occur in each area. Extinguishers should be kept in a handy
location, but remove from the anticipated fire area. Everyone in the
family should know where they are and how they will use them.

For Class A fires in ordinance combustibles, such a wood, paper, cloth,
upholstery, plastics, or similar materials, use a water or dry chemical
extinguisher. For Class B fires fueled by flammable liquids or gases,
kitchen greases, paint, oil, kerosene, or similar materials, use a dry
chemical carbon dioxide or halon extinguisher. Never use water. For Class
C fires involving live electrical equipment or wires, use a dry chemical,
carbon dioxide or halon extinguisher. If possible, cut off the power
first, before the fire becomes a Class A or B. Never use water.

An ABC fire extinguisher will extinguish all three classes of fire and is the
best type to have in your home. Check your fire extinguisher for detailed
instructions on how to operate your particular type.